Match Reports
Five-star Marseille reclaim second spot against Montpellier
The tension was palpable in Marseille before kick-off, but it didn't stop Marseille fans from getting behind their team - some were seen letting off flares around three hours before kick-off. Yet with great backing comes great pressure, the noise around the club in the week reaffirmed the objective for Les Olympiens: Champions League qualification is needed at all costs.
It was imperative that OM got off to a positive start at the Vélodrome, and a perfect opportunity came their way shortly after a good bit of combination between Rabiot and Rangier saw Greenwood almost flick home the opener, which ended up rattling the crossbar. Ulisses Garcia would then make a driving run into the box from the left side, and he drew a clear foul to win a penalty for his side. It was Greenwood who stepped up and converted confidently to Lecomte's left to hand Les Olympiens a one goal advantage (6').
The game calmed down, as Montpellier dropped into a defensive line, putting the emphasis on OM to find the answers to try and double their lead. Greenwood was involved once again to drive into the box and send a shot flying at the near post, but Lecomte would be second to it to parry away to safety. Rabiot was next with a header from near the penalty spot which was on target but couldn't challenge Lecomte enough. Montpellier had the rare burst forward, one of which would see Junior Ndiaye try and let off a shot from distance which was blocked by Højbjerg.
The game settled into the same pattern in the early periods of the first half, but Les Olympiens managed to double their lead by the hour-mark, much to the relief of the Stade Velodrome faithful. Quentin Merlin was found at the back post with a floated cross, and his header unbelievably hit the crossbar, the back of the goalkeeper, and then two Montpellier defenders before Gouiri was able to stab the ball home on the rebound (60'). Mason Greenwood would then reappear with his deadly finishing instinct, receiving the ball in the box and then thrashing a low strike past Lecomte to effectively kill off the contest with half hour to play (66') with his 18th goal of the season.
It got even better for Les Olympiens, as Ulisses Garcia capped off a great performance with a well-timed ball to the near post for Jonathan Rowe to flick into the back of the net flamboyantly (73').
The PLAYER: Mason Greenwood
It was a busy start to the game when the Englishman's flick-on rattled the crossbar in the opening minutes, and then he did well to confidently dispatch the penalty to put his side in front. He showed his deadly finishing ability in the second when he fed the ball in the box and thrashed home to put OM three ahead and effectively kill off the game. Another brace, and his 18th goal of the season saw him take home the man of the match award.
THE STAT: five out of five
Marseille have scored at least five goals in five Ligue 1 McDonald's matches this season. It's the first time Les Phocéens have achieved this feat in the top flight since the 1970-1971 season.
